PART I—IN GENERAL
§1361. S corporation defined
(a) S corporation defined
(1) In general
For purposes of this title, the term "S corporation" means, with respect to any taxable year, a small business corporation for which an election under section 1362(a) is in effect for such year.
(2) C corporation
For purposes of this title, the term "C corporation" means, with respect to any taxable year, a corporation which is not an S corporation for such year.
(b) Small business corporation
(1) In general
For purposes of this subchapter, the term "small business corporation" means a domestic corporation which is not an ineligible corporation and which does not—
(A) have more than 100 shareholders,
(B) have as a shareholder a person (other than an estate, a trust described in subsection (c)(2), or an organization described in subsection (c)(6)) who is not an individual,
(C) have a nonresident alien as a shareholder, and
(D) have more than 1 class of stock.
(2) Ineligible corporation defined
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "ineligible corporation" means any corporation which is—
(A) a financial institution which uses the reserve method of accounting for bad debts described in section 585,
(B) an insurance company subject to tax under subchapter L, or
(C) a DISC or former DISC.
(3) Treatment of certain wholly owned subsidiaries
(A) In general
Except as provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, for purposes of this title—
(i) a corporation which is a qualified subchapter S subsidiary shall not be treated as a separate corporation, and
(ii) all assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of a qualified subchapter S subsidiary shall be treated as assets, liabilities, and such items (as the case may be) of the S corporation.
(B) Qualified subchapter S subsidiary
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "qualified subchapter S subsidiary" means any domestic corporation which is not an ineligible corporation (as defined in paragraph (2)), if—
(i) 100 percent of the stock of such corporation is held by the S corporation, and
(ii) the S corporation elects to treat such corporation as a qualified subchapter S subsidiary.
(C) Treatment of terminations of qualified subchapter S subsidiary status
(i) In general
For purposes of this title, if any corporation which was a qualified subchapter S subsidiary ceases to meet the requirements of subparagraph (B), such corporation shall be treated as a new corporation acquiring all of its assets (and assuming all of its liabilities) immediately before such cessation from the S corporation in exchange for its stock.
(ii) Termination by reason of sale of stock
If the failure to meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) is by reason of the sale of stock of a corporation which is a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, the sale of such stock shall be treated as if—
(I) the sale were a sale of an undivided interest in the assets of such corporation (based on the percentage of the corporation's stock sold), and
(II) the sale were followed by an acquisition by such corporation of all of its assets (and the assumption by such corporation of all of its liabilities) in a transaction to which section 351 applies.
(D) Election after termination
If a corporation's status as a qualified subchapter S subsidiary terminates, such corporation (and any successor corporation) shall not be eligible to make—
(i) an election under subparagraph (B)(ii) to be treated as a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, or
(ii) an election under section 1362(a) to be treated as an S corporation,
before its 5th taxable year which begins after the 1st taxable year for which such termination was effective, unless the Secretary consents to such election.
(E) Information returns
Except to the extent provided by the Secretary, this paragraph shall not apply to part III of subchapter A of
(c) Special rules for applying subsection (b)
(1) Members of a family treated as 1 shareholder
(A) In general
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(A), there shall be treated as one shareholder—
(i) a husband and wife (and their estates), and
(ii) all members of a family (and their estates).
(B) Members of a family
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) In general
The term "members of a family" means a common ancestor, any lineal descendant of such common ancestor, and any spouse or former spouse of such common ancestor or any such lineal descendant.
(ii) Common ancestor
An individual shall not be considered to be a common ancestor if, on the applicable date, the individual is more than 6 generations removed from the youngest generation of shareholders who would (but for this subparagraph) be members of the family. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a spouse (or former spouse) shall be treated as being of the same generation as the individual to whom such spouse is (or was) married.
(iii) Applicable date
The term "applicable date" means the latest of—
(I) the date the election under section 1362(a) is made,
(II) the earliest date that an individual described in clause (i) holds stock in the S corporation, or
(III) October 22, 2004.
(C) Effect of adoption, etc.
Any legally adopted child of an individual, any child who is lawfully placed with an individual for legal adoption by the individual, and any eligible foster child of an individual (within the meaning of section 152(f)(1)(C)), shall be treated as a child of such individual by blood.
(2) Certain trusts permitted as shareholders
(A) In general
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(B), the following trusts may be shareholders:
(i) A trust all of which is treated (under subpart E of part I of subchapter J of this chapter) as owned by an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States.
(ii) A trust which was described in clause (i) immediately before the death of the deemed owner and which continues in existence after such death, but only for the 2-year period beginning on the day of the deemed owner's death.
(iii) A trust with respect to stock transferred to it pursuant to the terms of a will, but only for the 2-year period beginning on the day on which such stock is transferred to it.
(iv) A trust created primarily to exercise the voting power of stock transferred to it.
(v) An electing small business trust.
(vi) In the case of a corporation which is a bank (as defined in section 581) or a depository institution holding company (as defined in section 3(w)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (
This subparagraph shall not apply to any foreign trust.
(B) Treatment as shareholders
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)—
(i) In the case of a trust described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), the deemed owner shall be treated as the shareholder.
(ii) In the case of a trust described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), the estate of the deemed owner shall be treated as the shareholder.
(iii) In the case of a trust described in clause (iii) of subparagraph (A), the estate of the testator shall be treated as the shareholder.
(iv) In the case of a trust described in clause (iv) of subparagraph (A), each beneficiary of the trust shall be treated as a shareholder.
(v) In the case of a trust described in clause (v) of subparagraph (A), each potential current beneficiary of such trust shall be treated as a shareholder; except that, if for any period there is no potential current beneficiary of such trust, such trust shall be treated as the shareholder during such period. This clause shall not apply for purposes of subsection (b)(1)(C).
(vi) In the case of a trust described in clause (vi) of subparagraph (A), the individual for whose benefit the trust was created shall be treated as the shareholder.
(3) Estate of individual in bankruptcy may be shareholder
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(B), the term "estate" includes the estate of an individual in a case under
(4) Differences in common stock voting rights disregarded
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(D), a corporation shall not be treated as having more than 1 class of stock solely because there are differences in voting rights among the shares of common stock.
(5) Straight debt safe harbor
(A) In general
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(D), straight debt shall not be treated as a second class of stock.
(B) Straight debt defined
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "straight debt" means any written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a sum certain in money if—
(i) the interest rate (and interest payment dates) are not contingent on profits, the borrower's discretion, or similar factors,
(ii) there is no convertibility (directly or indirectly) into stock, and
(iii) the creditor is an individual (other than a nonresident alien), an estate, a trust described in paragraph (2), or a person which is actively and regularly engaged in the business of lending money.
(C) Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to provide for the proper treatment of straight debt under this subchapter and for the coordination of such treatment with other provisions of this title.
(6) Certain exempt organizations permitted as shareholders
For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(B), an organization which is—
(A) described in section 401(a) or 501(c)(3), and
(B) exempt from taxation under section 501(a),
may be a shareholder in an S corporation.
(d) Special rule for qualified subchapter S trust
(1) In general
In the case of a qualified subchapter S trust with respect to which a beneficiary makes an election under paragraph (2)—
(A) such trust shall be treated as a trust described in subsection (c)(2)(A)(i),
(B) for purposes of section 678(a), the beneficiary of such trust shall be treated as the owner of that portion of the trust which consists of stock in an S corporation with respect to which the election under paragraph (2) is made, and
(C) for purposes of applying sections 465 and 469 to the beneficiary of the trust, the disposition of the S corporation stock by the trust shall be treated as a disposition by such beneficiary.
(2) Election
(A) In general
A beneficiary of a qualified subchapter S trust (or his legal representative) may elect to have this subsection apply.
(B) Manner and time of election
(i) Separate election with respect to each corporation
An election under this paragraph shall be made separately with respect to each corporation the stock of which is held by the trust.
(ii) Elections with respect to successive income beneficiaries
If there is an election under this paragraph with respect to any beneficiary, an election under this paragraph shall be treated as made by each successive beneficiary unless such beneficiary affirmatively refuses to consent to such election.
(iii) Time, manner, and form of election
Any election, or refusal, under this paragraph shall be made in such manner and form, and at such time, as the Secretary may prescribe.
(C) Election irrevocable
An election under this paragraph, once made, may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary.
(D) Grace period
An election under this paragraph shall be effective up to 15 days and 2 months before the date of the election.
(3) Qualified subchapter S trust
For purposes of this subsection, the term "qualified subchapter S trust" means a trust—
(A) the terms of which require that—
(i) during the life of the current income beneficiary, there shall be only 1 income beneficiary of the trust,
(ii) any corpus distributed during the life of the current income beneficiary may be distributed only to such beneficiary,
(iii) the income interest of the current income beneficiary in the trust shall terminate on the earlier of such beneficiary's death or the termination of the trust, and
(iv) upon the termination of the trust during the life of the current income beneficiary, the trust shall distribute all of its assets to such beneficiary, and
(B) all of the income (within the meaning of section 643(b)) of which is distributed (or required to be distributed) currently to 1 individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States.
A substantially separate and independent share of a trust within the meaning of section 663(c) shall be treated as a separate trust for purposes of this subsection and subsection (c).
(4) Trust ceasing to be qualified
(A) Failure to meet requirements of paragraph (3)(A)
If a qualified subchapter S trust ceases to meet any requirement of paragraph (3)(A), the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to such trust as of the date it ceases to meet such requirement.
(B) Failure to meet requirements of paragraph (3)(B)
If any qualified subchapter S trust ceases to meet any requirement of paragraph (3)(B) but continues to meet the requirements of paragraph (3)(A), the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to such trust as of the first day of the first taxable year beginning after the first taxable year for which it failed to meet the requirements of paragraph (3)(B).
(e) Electing small business trust defined
(1) Electing small business trust
For purposes of this section—
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term "electing small business trust" means any trust if—
(i) such trust does not have as a beneficiary any person other than (I) an individual, (II) an estate, (III) an organization described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (5) of section 170(c), or (IV) an organization described in section 170(c)(1) which holds a contingent interest in such trust and is not a potential current beneficiary,
(ii) no interest in such trust was acquired by purchase, and
(iii) an election under this subsection applies to such trust.
(B) Certain trusts not eligible
The term "electing small business trust" shall not include—
(i) any qualified subchapter S trust (as defined in subsection (d)(3)) if an election under subsection (d)(2) applies to any corporation the stock of which is held by such trust,
(ii) any trust exempt from tax under this subtitle, and
(iii) any charitable remainder annuity trust or charitable remainder unitrust (as defined in section 664(d)).
(C) Purchase
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "purchase" means any acquisition if the basis of the property acquired is determined under section 1012.
(2) Potential current beneficiary
For purposes of this section, the term "potential current beneficiary" means, with respect to any period, any person who at any time during such period is entitled to, or at the discretion of any person may receive, a distribution from the principal or income of the trust (determined without regard to any power of appointment to the extent such power remains unexercised at the end of such period). If a trust disposes of all of the stock which it holds in an S corporation, then, with respect to such corporation, the term "potential current beneficiary" does not include any person who first met the requirements of the preceding sentence during the 1-year period ending on the date of such disposition.
(3) Election
An election under this subsection shall be made by the trustee. Any such election shall apply to the taxable year of the trust for which made and all subsequent taxable years of such trust unless revoked with the consent of the Secretary.
(4) Cross reference
For special treatment of electing small business trusts, see section 641(c).
(f) Restricted bank director stock
(1) In general
Restricted bank director stock shall not be taken into account as outstanding stock of the S corporation in applying this subchapter (other than section 1368(f)).
(2) Restricted bank director stock
For purposes of this subsection, the term "restricted bank director stock" means stock in a bank (as defined in section 581) or a depository institution holding company (as defined in section 3(w)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (
(A) is required to be held by an individual under applicable Federal or State law in order to permit such individual to serve as a director, and
(B) is subject to an agreement with such bank or company (or a corporation which controls (within the meaning of section 368(c)) such bank or company) pursuant to which the holder is required to sell back such stock (at the same price as the individual acquired such stock) upon ceasing to hold the office of director.
(3) Cross reference
For treatment of certain distributions with respect to restricted bank director stock, see section 1368(f).
(g) Special rule for bank required to change from the reserve method of accounting on becoming S corporation
In the case of a bank which changes from the reserve method of accounting for bad debts described in section 585 or 593 for its first taxable year for which an election under section 1362(a) is in effect, the bank may elect to take into account any adjustments under section 481 by reason of such change for the taxable year immediately preceding such first taxable year.
(Added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of the enactment of this clause, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(A)(vi), is the date of enactment of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1361, acts Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736,
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (b)(2)(C), (D).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(vi).
Subsec. (f)(2).
2017—Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(v).
2007—Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
2005—Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(E).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(vi).
2004—Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(vi).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(vi).
Subsec. (d)(1)(C).
Subsec. (e)(2).
2000—Subsec. (e)(1)(A)(i)(IV).
1998—Subsec. (e)(4).
1997—Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(3)(A).
Subsec. (c)(6), (7).
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(iii).
1996—Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(C) to (E).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(ii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(v).
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(v).
Subsec. (c)(5)(B)(iii).
Subsec. (c)(6).
"(6)
"(A) has not begun business at any time on or before the close of such period, and
"(B) does not have gross income for such period."
Subsec. (c)(7).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A)(i).
1989—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
1988—Subsec. (d)(3).
1986—Subsec. (b)(2)(B).
Subsec. (d)(3).
1984—Subsec. (c)(6).
Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(i).
Subsec. (d)(2)(D).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date 2018 Amendment
Amendment by section 109(a) of
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Amendment by section 403(b) of
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by section 233(a), (b) of
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by sections 1301–1302(c), 1303, 1304, 1308(a), (b), (d)(1), and 1315 of
Amendment by sections 1316(a), (e) of
Amendment by section 1616(b)(15) of
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by section 901(d)(4)(G) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) any portion of a qualified stock purchase is pursuant to a binding contract entered into on or after October 19, 1982, and before the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984], and
"(B) the purchasing corporation establishes by clear and convincing evidence that such contract was negotiated on the contemplation that, with respect to the deemed sale under section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, paragraph (2) of section 1362(e) of such Code would apply,
then the amendment made by paragraph (1) of subsection (g) [amending
"(4)
"(5)
"(A) on or before the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984] 50 percent or more of the stock of an S corporation has been sold or exchanged in 1 or more transactions, and
"(B) the person (or persons) acquiring such stock establish by clear and convincing evidence that such acquisitions were negotiated on the contemplation that paragraph (2) of section 1362(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 would apply to the S termination year in which such sales or exchanges occur,
then the amendment made by subsection (t) [amending
Effective Date
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A) sections 1362(d)(3), 1366(f)(3), and 1375 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by this Act [
"(B) section 1372(e)(5) of such Code (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 19, 1982]) shall not apply.
The preceding sentence shall not apply in the case of any corporation which elects (at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate shall prescribe) to have such sentence not apply. Subsection (e) shall not apply to any termination resulting from an election under the preceding sentence.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(i) the amendments made by this Act shall not apply, and
"(ii) subchapter S (as in effect on July 1, 1982) of
"(B)
"(i) as of July 12, 1982, such corporation was an electing small business corporation and was described in section 831(a) of such Code,
"(ii) such corporation was formed before April 1, 1982, and proposed (through a written private offering first circulated to investors before such date) to elect to be taxed as a subchapter S corporation and to be operated on an established insurance exchange, or
"(iii) such corporation is approved for membership on an established insurance exchange pursuant to a written agreement entered into before December 31, 1982, and such corporation is described in section 831(a) of such Code as of December 31, 1984.
A corporation shall not be treated as a qualified casualty insurance electing small business corporation unless an election under subchapter S of
"(3)
"(A)
"(i) the amendments made by this Act shall not apply, and
"(ii) subchapter S (as in effect on July 1, 1982) of
"(B)
"(i) as of September 28, 1982, such corporation—
"(I) was an electing small business corporation, or
"(II) was a small business corporation which made an election under section 1372(a) after December 31, 1981, and before September 28, 1982,
"(ii) for calendar year 1982, the combined average daily production of domestic crude oil or natural gas of such corporation and any one of its substantial shareholders exceeds 1,000 barrels, and
"(iii) such corporation makes an election under this subparagraph at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate shall prescribe.
"(C)
"(D)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) any termination of the election of the corporation under subchapter S of
"(ii) the first day on which more than 50 percent of the stock of the corporation is newly owned stock within the meaning of section 1378(c)(2) of such Code (as amended by this Act [
"(B)
"(i) Paragraph (2) shall also cease to apply with respect to any corporation after the corporation ceases to be described in section 831(a) of such Code.
"(ii) For purposes of determining under subparagraph (A)(ii) whether paragraph (2) ceases to apply to any corporation, section 1378(c)(2) of such Code (as amended by this Act [
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) the first day of the first taxable year beginning after December 31, 1982, with respect to which the corporation does not meet the requirements of section 1372(e)(5) of such Code (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 19, 1982]),
"(B) any termination after December 31, 1982, of the election of the corporation under subchapter S of
"(C) the first day on which more than 50 percent of the stock of the corporation is newly owned stock within the meaning of section 1378(c)(2) of such Code (as amended by this Act [
"(3)
"(e)
"(f)
Savings Provision
For provisions that nothing in amendment by section 401(d)(1)(D)(xvi) of
Elimination of all Earnings and Profits Attributable to Pre-1983 Years for Certain Corporations
"(1) described in section 1311(a)(1) of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 [
"(2) not described in section 1311(a)(2) of such Act,
the amount of such corporation's accumulated earnings and profits (for the first taxable year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 25, 2007]) shall be reduced by an amount equal to the portion (if any) of such accumulated earnings and profits which were accumulated in any taxable year beginning before January 1, 1983, for which such corporation was an electing small business corporation under subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986."
Elimination of Certain Earnings and Profits
"(1) a corporation was an electing small business corporation under subchapter S of
"(2) such corporation is an S corporation under subchapter S of
the amount of such corporation's accumulated earnings and profits (as of the beginning of such first taxable year) shall be reduced by an amount equal to the portion (if any) of such accumulated earnings and profits which were accumulated in any taxable year beginning before January 1, 1983, for which such corporation was an electing small business corporation under such subchapter S."
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1800–1899A] of
Transitional Provisions
"(i) after September 30, 1982, and on or before the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 12, 1983], stock or securities were transferred to a small business corporation (as defined in section 1361(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] as amended by the Subchapter S Revision Act of 1982 [
"(ii) such corporation is liquidated under section 333 of such Code before March 1, 1983,
then such stock or securities shall not be taken into account under section 333(e)(2) of such Code."
§1362. Election; revocation; termination
(a) Election
(1) In general
Except as provided in subsection (g), a small business corporation may elect, in accordance with the provisions of this section, to be an S corporation.
(2) All shareholders must consent to election
An election under this subsection shall be valid only if all persons who are shareholders in such corporation on the day on which such election is made consent to such election.
(b) When made
(1) In general
An election under subsection (a) may be made by a small business corporation for any taxable year—
(A) at any time during the preceding taxable year, or
(B) at any time during the taxable year and on or before the 15th day of the 3d month of the taxable year.
(2) Certain elections made during 1st 2½ months treated as made for next taxable year
If—
(A) an election under subsection (a) is made for any taxable year during such year and on or before the 15th day of the 3d month of such year, but
(B) either—
(i) on 1 or more days in such taxable year before the day on which the election was made the corporation did not meet the requirements of subsection (b) of section 1361, or
(ii) 1 or more of the persons who held stock in the corporation during such taxable year and before the election was made did not consent to the election,
then such election shall be treated as made for the following taxable year.
(3) Election made after 1st 2½ months treated as made for following taxable year
If—
(A) a small business corporation makes an election under subsection (a) for any taxable year, and
(B) such election is made after the 15th day of the 3d month of the taxable year and on or before the 15th day of the 3rd month of the following taxable year,
then such election shall be treated as made for the following taxable year.
(4) Taxable years of 2½ months or less
For purposes of this subsection, an election for a taxable year made not later than 2 months and 15 days after the first day of the taxable year shall be treated as timely made during such year.
(5) Authority to treat late elections, etc., as timely
If—
(A) an election under subsection (a) is made for any taxable year (determined without regard to paragraph (3)) after the date prescribed by this subsection for making such election for such taxable year or no such election is made for any taxable year, and
(B) the Secretary determines that there was reasonable cause for the failure to timely make such election,
the Secretary may treat such an election as timely made for such taxable year (and paragraph (3) shall not apply).
(c) Years for which effective
An election under subsection (a) shall be effective for the taxable year of the corporation for which it is made and for all succeeding taxable years of the corporation, until such election is terminated under subsection (d).
(d) Termination
(1) By revocation
(A) In general
An election under subsection (a) may be terminated by revocation.
(B) More than one-half of shares must consent to revocation
An election may be revoked only if shareholders holding more than one-half of the shares of stock of the corporation on the day on which the revocation is made consent to the revocation.
(C) When effective
Except as provided in subparagraph (D)—
(i) a revocation made during the taxable year and on or before the 15th day of the 3d month thereof shall be effective on the 1st day of such taxable year, and
(ii) a revocation made during the taxable year but after such 15th day shall be effective on the 1st day of the following taxable year.
(D) Revocation may specify prospective date
If the revocation specifies a date for revocation which is on or after the day on which the revocation is made, the revocation shall be effective on and after the date so specified.
(2) By corporation ceasing to be small business corporation
(A) In general
An election under subsection (a) shall be terminated whenever (at any time on or after the 1st day of the 1st taxable year for which the corporation is an S corporation) such corporation ceases to be a small business corporation.
(B) When effective
Any termination under this paragraph shall be effective on and after the date of cessation.
(3) Where passive investment income exceeds 25 percent of gross receipts for 3 consecutive taxable years and corporation has accumulated earnings and profits
(A) Termination
(i) In general
An election under subsection (a) shall be terminated whenever the corporation—
(I) has accumulated earnings and profits at the close of each of 3 consecutive taxable years, and
(II) has gross receipts for each of such taxable years more than 25 percent of which are passive investment income.
(ii) When effective
Any termination under this paragraph shall be effective on and after the first day of the first taxable year beginning after the third consecutive taxable year referred to in clause (i).
(iii) Years taken into account
A prior taxable year shall not be taken into account under clause (i) unless the corporation was an S corporation for such taxable year.
(B) Gross receipts from the sales of certain assets
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) in the case of dispositions of capital assets (other than stock and securities), gross receipts from such dispositions shall be taken into account only to the extent of the capital gain net income therefrom, and
(ii) in the case of sales or exchanges of stock or securities, gross receipts shall be taken into account only to the extent of the gains therefrom.
(C) Passive investment income defined
(i) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, the term "passive investment income" means gross receipts derived from royalties, rents, dividends, interest, and annuities.
(ii) Exception for interest on notes from sales of inventory
The term "passive investment income" shall not include interest on any obligation acquired in the ordinary course of the corporation's trade or business from its sale of property described in section 1221(a)(1).
(iii) Treatment of certain lending or finance companies
If the S corporation meets the requirements of section 542(c)(6) for the taxable year, the term "passive investment income" shall not include gross receipts for the taxable year which are derived directly from the active and regular conduct of a lending or finance business (as defined in section 542(d)(1)).
(iv) Treatment of certain dividends
If an S corporation holds stock in a C corporation meeting the requirements of section 1504(a)(2), the term "passive investment income" shall not include dividends from such C corporation to the extent such dividends are attributable to the earnings and profits of such C corporation derived from the active conduct of a trade or business.
(v) Exception for banks, etc.
In the case of a bank (as defined in section 581) or a depository institution holding company (as defined in section 3(w)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (
(I) interest income earned by such bank or company, or
(II) dividends on assets required to be held by such bank or company, including stock in the Federal Reserve Bank, the Federal Home Loan Bank, or the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Bank or participation certificates issued by a Federal Intermediate Credit Bank.
(e) Treatment of S termination year
(1) In general
In the case of an S termination year, for purposes of this title—
(A) S short year
The portion of such year ending before the 1st day for which the termination is effective shall be treated as a short taxable year for which the corporation is an S corporation.
(B) C short year
The portion of such year beginning on such 1st day shall be treated as a short taxable year for which the corporation is a C corporation.
(2) Pro rata allocation
Except as provided in paragraph (3) and subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (6), the determination of which items are to be taken into account for each of the short taxable years referred to in paragraph (1) shall be made—
(A) first by determining for the S termination year—
(i) the amount of each of the items of income, loss, deduction, or credit described in section 1366(a)(1)(A), and
(ii) the amount of the nonseparately computed income or loss, and
(B) then by assigning an equal portion of each amount determined under subparagraph (A) to each day of the S termination year.
(3) Election to have items assigned to each short taxable year under normal tax accounting rules
(A) In general
A corporation may elect to have paragraph (2) not apply.
(B) Shareholders must consent to election
An election under this subsection shall be valid only if all persons who are shareholders in the corporation at any time during the S short year and all persons who are shareholders in the corporation on the first day of the C short year consent to such election.
(4) S termination year
For purposes of this subsection, the term "S termination year" means any taxable year of a corporation (determined without regard to this subsection) in which a termination of an election made under subsection (a) takes effect (other than on the 1st day thereof).
(5) Tax for C short year determined on annualized basis
(A) In general
The taxable income for the short year described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall be placed on an annual basis by multiplying the taxable income for such short year by the number of days in the S termination year and by dividing the result by the number of days in the short year. The tax shall be the same part of the tax computed on the annual basis as the number of days in such short year is of the number of days in the S termination year.
(B) Section 443(d)(2) to apply
Subsection (d) of section 443 shall apply to the short taxable year described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
(6) Other special rules
For purposes of this title—
(A) Short years treated as 1 year for carryover purposes
The short taxable year described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the number of taxable years to which any item may be carried back or carried forward by the corporation.
(B) Due date for S year
The due date for filing the return for the short taxable year described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall be the same as the due date for filing the return for the short taxable year described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) (including extensions thereof).
(C) Paragraph (2) not to apply to items resulting from section 338
Paragraph (2) shall not apply with respect to any item resulting from the application of section 338.
(D) Pro rata allocation for S termination year not to apply if 50-percent change in ownership
Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an S termination year if there is a sale or exchange of 50 percent or more of the stock in such corporation during such year.
(f) Inadvertent invalid elections or terminations
If—
(1) an election under subsection (a) or section 1361(b)(3)(B)(ii) by any corporation—
(A) was not effective for the taxable year for which made (determined without regard to subsection (b)(2)) by reason of a failure to meet the requirements of section 1361(b) or to obtain shareholder consents, or
(B) was terminated under paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (d) or section 1361(b)(3)(C),
(2) the Secretary determines that the circumstances resulting in such ineffectiveness or termination were inadvertent,
(3) no later than a reasonable period of time after discovery of the circumstances resulting in such ineffectiveness or termination, steps were taken—
(A) so that the corporation for which the election was made or the termination occurred is a small business corporation or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, as the case may be, or
(B) to acquire the required shareholder consents, and
(4) the corporation for which the election was made or the termination occurred, and each person who was a shareholder in such corporation at any time during the period specified pursuant to this subsection, agrees to make such adjustments (consistent with the treatment of such corporation as an S corporation or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, as the case may be) as may be required by the Secretary with respect to such period,
then, notwithstanding the circumstances resulting in such ineffectiveness or termination, such corporation shall be treated as an S corporation or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, as the case may be, during the period specified by the Secretary.
(g) Election after termination
If a small business corporation has made an election under subsection (a) and if such election has been terminated under subsection (d), such corporation (and any successor corporation) shall not be eligible to make an election under subsection (a) for any taxable year before its 5th taxable year which begins after the 1st taxable year for which such termination is effective, unless the Secretary consents to such election.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(v).
Subsec. (f).
2014—Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(iii).
"(I) such taxable year began after December 31, 1981, and
"(II) the corporation was an S corporation for such taxable year."
2007—Subsec. (d)(3)(B) to (F).
Subsec. (f)(1).
2005—Subsec. (d)(3)(F).
2004—Subsec. (d)(3)(F).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1)(B).
Subsec. (f)(3)(A).
Subsec. (f)(4).
1999—Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii).
1996—Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i)(I).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B) to (E).
"(B)
Subsec. (d)(3)(F).
Subsec. (f).
"(f)
"(1) an election under subsection (a) by any corporation was terminated under paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (d),
"(2) the Secretary determines that the termination was inadvertent,
"(3) no later than a reasonable period of time after discovery of the event resulting in such termination, steps were taken so that the corporation is once more a small business corporation, and
"(4) the corporation, and each person who was a shareholder of the corporation at any time during the period specified pursuant to this subsection, agrees to make such adjustments (consistent with the treatment of the corporation as an S corporation) as may be required by the Secretary with respect to such period,
then, notwithstanding the terminating event, such corporation shall be treated as continuing to be an S corporation during the period specified by the Secretary."
1988—Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(v).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E).
Subsec. (e)(5)(B).
1984—Subsec. (b)(3)(B).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (d)(3)(D)(v).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3)(B).
Subsec. (e)(6)(C).
Subsec. (e)(6)(D).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by sections 1308(c) and 1311(b)(1) of
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by section 102(d)(2) of
Amendment by section 721(g), (h), (l), (t) of
Effective Date
Section applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1982, except that in the case of a taxable year beginning during 1982, subsec. (d)(3) of this section and
Treatment of Certain Elections Under Prior Law
Subchapter S Election
"(A) becomes a small business corporation (as defined in section 1361(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954]) at any time before the close of the 75th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984], and
"(B) makes the election under section 1362(a) of such Code before the close of such 75th day,
then such dealer shall be treated as having received approval for and adopted a taxable year beginning on the first day during 1984 on which it was a small business corporation (as so defined) or such other day as may be permitted under regulations and ending on the date determined under section 1378 of such Code and such election shall be effective for such taxable year."
§1363. Effect of election on corporation
(a) General rule
Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, an S corporation shall not be subject to the taxes imposed by this chapter.
(b) Computation of corporation's taxable income
The taxable income of an S corporation shall be computed in the same manner as in the case of an individual, except that—
(1) the items described in section 1366(a)(1)(A) shall be separately stated,
(2) the deductions referred to in section 703(a)(2) shall not be allowed to the corporation,
(3) section 248 shall apply, and
(4) section 291 shall apply if the S corporation (or any predecessor) was a C corporation for any of the 3 immediately preceding taxable years.
(c) Elections of the S corporation
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), any election affecting the computation of items derived from an S corporation shall be made by the corporation.
(2) Exceptions
In the case of an S corporation, elections under the following provisions shall be made by each shareholder separately—
(A) section 617 (relating to deduction and recapture of certain mining exploration expenditures), and
(B) section 901 (relating to taxes of foreign countries and possessions of the United States).
(d) Recapture of LIFO benefits
(1) In general
If—
(A) an S corporation was a C corporation for the last taxable year before the first taxable year for which the election under section 1362(a) was effective, and
(B) the corporation inventoried goods under the LIFO method for such last taxable year,
the LIFO recapture amount shall be included in the gross income of the corporation for such last taxable year (and appropriate adjustments to the basis of inventory shall be made to take into account the amount included in gross income under this paragraph).
(2) Additional tax payable in installments
(A) In general
Any increase in the tax imposed by this chapter by reason of this subsection shall be payable in 4 equal installments.
(B) Date for payment of installments
The first installment under subparagraph (A) shall be paid on or before the due date (determined without regard to extensions) for the return of the tax imposed by this chapter for the last taxable year for which the corporation was a C corporation and the 3 succeeding installments shall be paid on or before the due date (as so determined) for the corporation's return for the 3 succeeding taxable years.
(C) No interest for period of extension
Notwithstanding section 6601(b), for purposes of section 6601, the date prescribed for the payment of each installment under this paragraph shall be determined under this paragraph.
(3) LIFO recapture amount
For purposes of this subsection, the term "LIFO recapture amount" means the amount (if any) by which—
(A) the inventory amount of the inventory asset under the first-in, first-out method authorized by section 471, exceeds
(B) the inventory amount of such assets under the LIFO method.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, inventory amounts shall be determined as of the close of the last taxable year referred to in paragraph (1).
(4) Other definitions
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) LIFO method
The term "LIFO method" means the method authorized by section 472.
(B) Inventory assets
The term "inventory assets" means stock in trade of the corporation, or other property of a kind which would properly be included in the inventory of the corporation if on hand at the close of the taxable year.
(C) Method of determining inventory amount
The inventory amount of assets under a method authorized by section 471 shall be determined—
(i) if the corporation uses the retail method of valuing inventories under section 472, by using such method, or
(ii) if clause (i) does not apply, by using cost or market, whichever is lower.
(D) Not treated as member of affiliated group
Except as provided in regulations, the corporation referred to in paragraph (1) shall not be treated as a member of an affiliated group with respect to the amount included in gross income under paragraph (1).
(5) Special rule
Sections 1367(a)(2)(D) and 1371(c)(1) shall not apply with respect to any increase in the tax imposed by reason of this subsection.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (d)(5).
1988—Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(4)(D).
Subsec. (e).
1987—Subsec. (d).
1986—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (e).
1984—Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by section 1006(f)(7) of
Amendment by section 2004(n) of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) there was a resolution adopted by the board of directors of such corporation to make an election under subchapter S of
"(B) there was a ruling request with respect to the business filed with the Internal Revenue Service expressing an intent to make such an election."
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by section 511(d)(2)(C) of
Amendment by section 632(b) of
Amendment by section 701(e)(4)(J) of
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1982, see section 6(a) of
Applicability of Certain Amendments by Pub. L. 99–514 in Relation to Treaty Obligations of United States
For applicability of amendment by section 701(e)(4)(J) of